Shady

She grimaced and sat down next to him, rubbing his back reassuringly. “Sorry.”

“We swam a lot… and Ky would sometimes read to us — she’s the only one who could — or told stories to each other or tag or hide or ...

Ky walked over and quickly locked the door, then turned back towards Tomhas. “He’s gone.”

“My Papa’s a butcher,” Talia said. “Most were farmers, though.”

“Yes. I’m a kid; I listen to my father.” Ky walked over to stand deliberately by Tomhas, looking at Septimus. “That’s what happens when your kid respects you.”

“Very small,” Talia said. “Only a handful of families. But we were very tight knit. Helped each other out a ton.”

Ky took her hand off the knob, furrowing her brow at Septimus. “I’m not going to ignore my father.” She took a step closer to the sofa again.

Talia nodded and finished off a second bundle then went to hang it up.

Ky hesitated, blinking at him. He… didn’t want her to? “…He wants me to,” she said dumbly, not thinking of another reason. She was a compliant idiot, that’s why.

“Yes, ma’am.” Talia smiled, dipping her head. “And more than that I’ve been allowed to hang around with Ky and Kael and… that matters to me a lot. It’s been ...

She sighed and glanced at Tomhas. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, I guess.”

Ky didn’t like conflict. This was painful. She sighed and walked to the door. “Fine. I’ll tell him you’re unhappy. But I’ll stop translating if you’re mean to him about ...

“But of this caliber food?” She smiled kindly. “I’m being spoiled rotten.”

(I wish. I unfortunately do have to work today lol) (I also am very much a night showerer but woke up itching all over and thought maybe a shower would ...

Talia smiled and dipped her head. “I very much appreciate the generosity, ma’am. It’s much kinder than I deserve.”